Page 71 of Choosing Stella

I stared at him.

“That was rude.”

“He was finished.”

“He was about to say something.”

“It was probably about me.”

“That’s why I was waiting to hear it.”

Geo set the secure phone aside.

“You need food.”

I pointed at him.

“See? Encouraged.”

We ate at the table. Geo heated chicken, rice, and vegetables from the safe-house refrigerator. I drank water. He did too.

We skipped the wine.

The garment bag with the dress hung along the wall. The tracker rested beside Geo’s hand. The equipment case waited open near his chair.

I pushed a piece of chicken around my plate.

“What happens after the operation?”

Geo looked across the table at me.

I put down my fork.

“I don’t mean the investigation.”

“I figured.”

“Do you?”

“Yes.”

I sat back.

“We haven’t talked about what happened between us.”

“We talked before it happened.”

“That isn’t what I mean.”

“No.”

Geo set down his fork too.

For a few seconds, we sat there without eating.

I glanced toward the garment bag.

“We’re making plans for the casino like there’s a reasonable chance someone inside wants to abduct me.”